By Dan Mitchell, MLM Blog Correspondent

From Times Leader:

As soon as Capt. Cliff Morales, the master of ceremonies, explained the purpose of the Center of Influence medal, Sgt. Lawrence Huffman took the medal from its black case and hung the red, white and blue ribbon that supported it around the neck of his wife, Shirley, before putting his arm around her and pulling her close to him.

“It was difficult at first, getting adjusted to him being gone,” Shirley said after the ceremony. “But I had three teenagers around the house to help.”

The Huffmans’ 18-year-old son, Larry, said the ceremony made him feel good and proud of his dad. The couple also have two daughters – Mae, 15; and Shirley, 19.

Sgt. Huffman, who returned from Afghanistan in November after serving in the ranks of the 3rd Battalion 103rd Armor Regiment, said the ceremony made him feel “like we’re appreciated, like we’re recognized somewhere.”

Honored soldiers also served in the ranks of the 1-104th Cavalry Regiment and the 55 Heavy Brigade Combat Team Ground Liaison Detachment.

In addition to honoring the soldiers and their families, Freedom Salutes also honor community businesses and organizations that supported the troops and/or their families in various ways.

Outstanding Centers of Influence presentations went to Scent-Sations, McCabe Mortgage Group, Kingston VFW, Mohegan Sun and Northeast Eagle Distributors. Distinguished Centers of Influence presentations went to Pepsi Co. and The Times Leader. Family Action Community Recognitions went to DC International and the Lt. Michael J. Cleary Foundation.

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